Parliament has unanimously approved the revised Human Organ Transplant Bill after adopting three key amendments recommended following its return by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for further review.

The president had referred the legislation back to Parliament after raising concerns that several amendments made during its initial passage could create practical challenges in implementing the law.

He requested lawmakers reconsider the bill to strengthen its legal and operational framework.

Following the review, the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee proposed a series of amendments, including reinstating two provisions under Article 7.

The restored clauses specify that individuals in state custody, detained on criminal charges, or serving court-imposed prison sentences are not eligible to donate organs.

The revised bill also removes provisions relating to the unauthorized removal of organs, the application of Qisas (retaliatory punishment) for unlawful organ transplantation, and compensation for donated organs.

Instead, individuals convicted of carrying out illegal organ transplants will face fines ranging from approximately USD 9,702 to USD 16,171, in addition to prison sentences of between 12 and 18 months.

Lawmakers also amended the implementation timeline.

While the original bill required supporting regulations to be drafted within 180 days of ratification, the revised legislation now requires all regulations necessary for implementation to be completed within 180 days after the law comes into force.

The law itself will become effective 180 days after ratification.

The legislation further requires the establishment of an Organ Transplant Council within 60 days of the law taking effect to oversee the implementation of the new legal framework.

The amended bill was passed after Parliament considered the report of the Social Affairs Committee, receiving unanimous support from all 58 lawmakers present and voting.